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   defend

   /dɪˈfɛnd/

   verb

   • 1. resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger: "we shall defend our island, whatever the cost" Similar protectguardsafeguardkeep from harmpreservesecureshieldshelterscreenfortifygarrisonbarricadefight forupholdsupportbe on the side oftake up cudgels forwatch overbe the defender ofOpposite attack
   • ▪ speak or write in favour of (an action or person); attempt to justify: "he defended his policy of imposing high rates" Similar justifyvindicateargue/speak forspeak on behalf ofsupportspeak in support ofgive an apologia formake a case forplead formake excuses forexcuseexoneratepalliateexplaingive reasons forgive the rationale behindsupportspeak in support ofbackstand bystick up forstand up forargue forchampionendorseupholdcome to the defence ofsustainbolsterinformal:throw one's weight behindOpposite attackcriticizecriticize
   • ▪ compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election: "he won the party's nomination to defend the Welsh seat"
   • 2. conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit: "he is a lawyer who specializes in defending political prisoners"
   • 3. (in sport) protect one's goal or wicket rather than attempt to score against one's opponents: "they were forced to defend for long periods"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- ‘off’ + -fendere ‘to strike’. Compare with offend.

   Derivatives

   • 1. defendable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDEFEND | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   DEFEND definition: 1. to protect someone or something against attack or criticism: 2. to speak or write in support of…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defendDefend Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defend

   • Cached

   The meaning of DEFEND is to drive danger or attack away from. How to use defend in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Defend.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › defendDEFEND Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › defend

   • Cached

   Defend definition: to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against). See examples of DEFEND used in a sentence.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defendDefend - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defend

   defend. /dɪˈfɛnd/ IPA guide. Other forms: defended; defending; defends. Defend has different shades of meaning, but it always has the sense of protecting something — your ideas, for instance, or your title as world heavyweight champion.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › defendDefend - definition of defend by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › defend

   • Cached

   a. To represent (a defendant) in a civil or criminal action. b. To attempt to disprove or invalidate (the claim made by a lawsuit or prosecution): defend a class action; defend a criminal case. v.intr. 1. To make a defense. 2. Sports To play defense.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDEFEND definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishdefend verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   [transitive] to say or write something in support of somebody/something that has been criticized. They defended their decision to pull out of the event. The minister vigorously defended the policy. How can you defend such behaviour? I realized I couldn't logically defend my position.